The Eight Nouell.

GReeuous, and full of compassion, appeared the hard For∣tunes of Madame Helena to be, hauing much disconten∣ted, and (well-neere) wearied all the Ladies in hearing them recounted. But because they were very iustly inflicted vpon her, and according as (in equity) shee had deserued, they vvere the more moderate in their commisseration: howbeit, they reputed the Scholler not onely ouer-obstinate, but also too strict, rigorous and seuere. Wherefore, when Madame Pampinea had finished hir No∣uell, the Queene gaue command to Madame Fiammetta, that she should follow next with her discourse; whereto shee shewing obe∣dience, thus beganne.

Page  [unnumbered] Because it appeareth in my iudgement (faire Ladyes) that the Schollers cruelty hath much displeased you, making you more me∣lancholly then this time requireth: I holde it therefore very conue∣nient, that your contristed spirits should be chearfully reuiued, with matter more pleasing and delightfull. And therefore, I mean to re∣port a Nouell of a certaine man, who tooke an iniury done him, in much milder manner, and reuenged his wrong more moderately, then the furious incensed Scholler did. Whereby you may com∣prehend, that it is sufficient for any man, and so he ought to esteeme it, to serue another with the same sawce, which the offending party caused him first to taste of: without coueting any stricter reuenge, then agreeth with the quality of the iniury receiued.

Know then (Gracious assembly) that, as I haue heretofore heard, there liued not long since in Sienna, two young men, of honest pa∣rentage and equall condition, neither of the best, nor yet the mea∣nest calling in the City: the one being named Spinelloccio Tauena, and the other tearmed Zeppa di Mino, their houses Neighbouring together in the streete Camollia. Seldome the one walked abroade without the others Company, and their houses allowed equall wel∣come to them both; so that by outward demonstrations, & inward mutuall affection, as far as humane capacity had power to extend, they liued and loued like two Brethren, they both beeing wealthy, and married vnto two beautifull women.

It came to passe, that Spinelloccio, by often resorting to the house of Zeppa, as well in his absence, as when he abode at home; beganne to glance amorous looks on Zeppaes wife, and pursued his vnneigh∣bourly purpose in such sort: that hee being the stronger perswader, and she (belike) too credulous in beleeuing, or else ouer-feeble in resisting; from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and conti∣nued their close fight a long while together, vnseene and vvithout suspition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment.

But, whether as a iust punishment, for breaking so louing a league of friendship and neighbour-hood, or rather a fatall infliction, euer∣more attending on the closest Cuckoldry, their felicity still continu∣ing in this kinde: it fortuned on a day, Zeppa abiding within doors, contrary to the knowledge of his wife, Spinelloccio came to enquire for him, and she answering (as she verily supposed) that he was gon abroad: vppe they went both together into the Hall, and no bodie being there to hinder what they intended, they fell to their wonted recreation without any feare, kissing and embracing as Louers vse to do.

Zeppa seeing all this, spake not one word, neither made any noise at all; but kept himselfe closely hidden, to obserue the yssue of this Page  87 amorous conflict. To be briefe, he saw Spinelloccio goe with his wife into the Chamber, and make the doore fast after them, where∣at he could haue beene angry, which he held to be no part of true wisedome. For he knew well enough, that to make an out crie in this case, or otherwise to reueale this kinde of iniury, it could no way make it lesse, but rather giue a greater addition of shame and scandall: he thought this no course for him to take; wiser conside∣rations entred his braine, to haue this wrong fully reuenged, yet with such a discreete and orderly carriage, as no neighbours know∣ledge should by any meanes apprehend it, or the least signe of dis∣content in himselfe blabbe it, because they were two daungerous euils.

Many notable courses wheeled about his conceit, euery one pro∣mising fairely, and ministring meanes of formall apparance, yet one (aboue the rest) wonne his absolute allowance, which he intended to prosecute as best he might. In which resolution, he kept still ve∣ry close, so long as Spinelloccio was with his Wife; but hee being gone, he went into the Chamber, where he found his wife, amen∣ding the forme of her head attyre, which Spinelloccio had put into a disordred fashion. Wife (quoth he) what art thou doing? Why? Do you not see Husband? answered she. Yes that I do wife, repli∣ed Zeppa, and something else happened to my sight, which I could wish that I had not seene. Rougher Language growing betweene them, of his auouching, and her as stout denying, with defending her cause ouer-weakely, against the manifest proofes both of eye and eare: at last she fell on her knees before him, weeping inces∣santly, and no excuses now auailing, she confest her long acquain∣tance with Spinelloccio, and most humbly entreated him to forgiue her. Vppon the which penitent confession and submission, Zeppa thus answered.

Wife, if inward contrition be answerable to thy outward seem∣ing sorrow, then I make no doubt, but faithfully thou dost acknow∣ledge thine owne euill dooing: for which, if thou expectest pardon of me; determine then to fulfill effectually, such a busines as I must enioyne, and thou performe. I command thee to tell Spinelloccio, that to morrow morning, about nine of the clocke, we being both abroad walking, he must finde some apt occasion to leaue my com∣pany, and then come hither to visit thee. When he is here, sodain∣ly will I returne home, and vpon thy hearing of my entraunce: to saue his owne credite, and thee from detection, thou shalt require him to enter this Chest, vntill such time as I am gone forth againe; which he doing, for both your safeties, so soon as he is in the chest, take the key and locke him vp fast. When thou hast effected this, then shall I acquaint thee with the rest remaining, which also must Page  [unnumbered] be done by thee, without dread of the least harme to him or thee, because there is no malicious meaning in me, but such as (I am per∣swaded) thou canst not iustly mislike. The wife, to make some sa∣tisfaction for her offence committed, promised that she would per∣forme it, and so she did.

On the morrow morning, the houre of nine being come, when Zeppa and Spinelloccio were walking abroad together, Spinelloccio remembring his promise vnto his Mistresse, and the clocke telling him the appointed houre, hee saide to Zeppa. I am to dine this day with an especiall friend of mine, who I would be loath should tar∣ry for my comming; and therefore holde my departure excused. How now? answered Zeppa, the time for dinner is yet farre enough off, wherefore then should we part so soone? Yea but Zeppa, repli∣ed Spinelloccio, wee haue weighty matters to confer on before din∣ner, which will require three houres space at the least, and therefore it behoueth me to respect due time.

Spinelloccio being departed from Zeppa (who followed faire and softly after him) being come to the house, and kindly welcommed by the wife: they were no sooner gone vp the staires, and entering in at the Chamber doore; but the Woman heard her Husband cough, and also his comming vp the staires. Alas deare Spinelloc∣cio (quoth she) what shall we do? My Husband is comming vppe, and we shall be both taken tardie, step into this Chest, lye downe there and stirre not, till I haue sent him forth againe, which shall be within a very short while. Spinelloccio was not a little ioyfull for her good aduice; downe in the Chest lay he, and she lockt him in: by which time Zeppa was entred the Chamber. Where are you Wife? said he, (speaking so loud, as hee in the Chest might heare him) What, is it time to go to dinner? It will be anon Sir, answe∣red she, as yet it is ouerearly; but seeing you are come, the more hast shall be made, and euery thing will be ready quickly.

Zeppa, sitting downe vpon the Chest, wherein Spinelloccio lay not a little affrighted, speaking stil aloud, as formerly he did: Come hither Wife (quoth he) how shall we do for some good companie to dine with vs? Mine honest kinde neighbour Spinelloccio is not at home, because he dineth forth to day with a deare friend of his, by which meanes, his wife is left at home alone: giue her a call out at our Window, and desire her to come dine with vs: for we two can make no merry Musicke, except some more come to fill vp the con∣sort.

His Wife being very timorous, yet diligent to doe whatsoeuer he commanded, so preuailed with the Wife of Spinelloccio: that she came to them quickely, and so much the rather, because her Husband dined abroad. Shee being come vp into the Chamber, Page  81 Zeppa gaue her most kinde entertainment, taking her gently by the hand, and winking on his Wife, that she should betake her selfe to the kitchin, to see dinner speedily prepared, while he sat conuersing with his neighbour in the Chamber.

His wife being gone, he shut the doore after her; which the new∣come Neighbour perceyuing, she sayde. Our blessed Lady defend me. Zeppa, What is your meaning in this? Haue you caused me to come hither to this in tent? Is this the loue you beare to Spinelloc∣cio, and your professed loyalty in friendshippe? Zeppa, seating her downe on the Chest, wherein her Husband was inclosed, entrea∣ting her patience, thus began. Kinde and louing Neighbor, before you aduenture too farre in anger, vouchsafe to heare what I shall tell you.

I haue loued, and still doe loue, Spinelloccio as my brother, but yesterday (albeit he knoweth it not) I found, the honest trust I re∣posed in him, deserued no other, or better recompence, but euen to be bold with my wife, in the selfesame manner as I am, and as hee ought to do with none but you. Now, in regard of the loue which I beare him, I intend to be no otherwise reuenged on him, but in the same kinde as the offence was committed. He hath bin more then familiar with my wife, I must borrow the selfe-same courtesie of you, which in equity you cannot deny mee, weighing the wrong you haue sustained by my wife. Our iniuries are alike, in your Hus∣band to me, and in my wife to you: let then their punishment and ours be alike also; as they, so we; for in this case there can be no iu∣ster reuenge.

The Woman hearing this, and perceiuing the manifolde confir∣mations thereof, protested (on solemne oath) by Zeppa; hir beliefe grew setled, and thus she answered. My louing neighbor Zeppa, see∣ing this kinde of reuenge is (in meere iustice) imposed on mee, and ordained as a due scourge, as well to the breach of friendship and neighbour-hood, as abuse of his true and loyall wife: I am the more willing to consent: alwaies prouided, that it be no imbarrement of loue betweene your wife and mee, albeit I haue good reason to al∣ledge, that she began the quarrell first: and what I do is but to right my wrong, as any other woman of spirit would do: Afterwards, we may the more easily pardon one another. For breach of peace (answered Zeppa) between my wife and you, take my honest word for your warrant. Moreouer, in requitall of this fauour to mee, I will bestowe a deare and precious Iewell on you, excelling all the rest which you haue beside.

In deliuering these words, he sweetly kissed and embraced her, as she sat on the Chest wherein her husband lay: now, what they did else beside, in recompence of the wrong-receiued, I leaue to your Page  [unnumbered] imagination, as rather deseruing silence, then immodest blabbing. Spinelloccio, being all this while in the Chest, hearing easily all the words which Zeppa had vttered, the answer of his wife, as also what Musicke they made ouer his head: you may guesse in what a case he was, his heart being ready to split with rage, and, but that hee stood in feare of Zeppa, he would haue railde and exclaimed on his wife, as thus hee lay shut vp in the Chest. But entering into better consideration, that so great an iniury was first begun by himselfe, & Zeppa did no more, then in reason and equity he might well do (ha∣uing euermore carried himselfe like a kinde neighbour and frend to∣wards him, without the least offer of distaste) he faithfully resolued, to be a firmer friend to Zeppa then formerly hee had bin, if it might be embraced and accepted on the other side.

Delights and pleasures, be they neuer so long in contenting and continuance, yet they come to a period and conclusion at last: So Zeppa, hauing ended his amorous combate, and ouer the head of his perfidious friend, thought himselfe sufficiently reuenged. But now, in consideration of a further promise made on the bargaine; Spinel∣loccioes wife challengeth the Iewel, then which kind of recompence, nothing can be more welcom to women. Heereupon, Zeppa calling for his owne wife, commanded her to open the Chest; which shee did, and he merrily smiling, saide. Well wife, you haue giuen mee a Cake insted of bread, and you shal lose nothing for your labour. So Spinelloccio comming forth of the Chest, it requireth a better witte then mine, to tell you, which of them stood most confounded vvith shame, either Spinelloccio seeing Zeppa, and knowing well enough what he had done: or the woman beholding her husband, who ea∣sily heard all their familiar conference, and the action thereupon so deseruedly performed.

See neighbour, is not this your dearest Iewell? Hauing kept it a∣while in my wiues custody; according to my promise, here I deliuer it you. Spinelloccio being glad of his deliuerance out of the Chest, albeit not a little ashamed of himselfe; without vsing many imper∣tinent words, saide. Zeppa, our wrongs are equally requited on each other, and therefore I allow thy former speeches to my Wife, that thou wast my friend, as I am the like to thee, and so I pray thee let vs still continue. For nothing else is now to bee diuided betweene vs, seeing we haue shared alike in our wiues, which none knowing but our selues, let it be as closely kept to our selues. Zeppa was wel plea∣sed with the motion, and so all foure dined louingly together, with∣out any variance or discontentment. And thence forward, each of the Women had two Husbands, as either Husband enioyed two Wiues, without further contention or debate.